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Garrett sat stock still, his hands folded together neatly in his lap and his eyes ever moving around the small space of the plane. Bella was fast asleep on his shoulder, or so he thought, as they entered the airspace of Pisa.

"You are supposed to be acting like a human."

"And you are supposed to be sleeping." Garrett chided with a smile, "Your heart was so relaxed that I thought you were."

Bella sighed and fell back, running her fingers back through her hair, "Just resting my eyes."

"I am amazed at how calm you are; even knowing we are going to Volterra." The Patriot's voice was venom when he said the old city's name.

The girl just shrugged, not sure why she was so at peace. To keep her thoughts busy, she reached for her carry on and pulled out a small folder.

"What are you doing, Isabella?" Jasper nosed, leaning over the seat. Of course, he already knew what she was doing. The empath asked more for Garrett's benefit than his.

Bella smiled, dropping her head back, "My application to the UW, Whitlock."

"I didn't know you were thinking of apply." Garrett rose a dark brow, his silver eyes cutting to her.

On cue, the human blushed, "They—well, they h-have a strong English department." Jasper fell back in his seat, clearly pleased with himself. His wife just shook her head as she flipped through her latest edition of Vogue.

"You didn't tell me you were interested in getting an English degree." Garrett commented, adjusting his sleeve so as to look more human when the stewardess walked by.

Bella shrugged, "I guess I didn't have much time to talk between the aftermath of the newborn attack, the Volturi showing up, and Edward mopping around the house." She tilted her head to look at him, "Besides, why would that bother you? You are already signed up for classes and I promise not to embarrass you by calling you poopsie bear or such." She smirked.

Garrett took an even breath, his eyes lingering on the window, "You can't be around other people when you are a newborn, Isabella."

Bella worried her lower lip, leaning forward so her thick hair would veil her face, "I—I hadn't thought about that."

"You can still choose to be with Jacob." Garrett dropped his head, keeping his mask in place, "Then you will be able to remain human." He jolted forward, feeling the pixie's kick to his seat. His silver eyes narrowed as he looked back to the grinning Alice.

Bella narrowed her eyes, getting tired of his self-sacrificing attitude, "I don't want to be with Jacob."

Garrett held is hands up in an offering of peace.

"We're here." Jasper called, his voice darkening as they all turned to the window.

Bella squared her shoulders, taking in a settling breath, "Here goes everything."

XxX

The three topaz-eyed vampires made a semi-circle around the small human as they walked into the catacombs of Volterra.

Bella tried to keep her head high, but her strength waned when she realized the dire situation she was in. Jasper and Garrett were skilled fighters, and Alice could hold her own, but their gifts could only get them so far in the face of so many other gifted vampires.

Garrett shrugged off his brown jacket and draped it around Bella's shoulders as the drew closer to the front desk, "Your smell is tempting enough in a crowd, it will be irresistible in a smaller quarter. This will help to mask it." All the human could do was nod.

"Welcome, my name is Alessa." The beauty behind the desk replied in a seductive Italian accent. Bella's soft eyes grew and she looked back to Alice, who sadly shook her head. Bella swallowed hard and looked forward; apparently, Gianna didn't have enough promise of a gift for the Volturi to change her.

Alessa leaned on the desk, her deep cut shirt leaving nothing to the imagination, "What can I do for you, handsome?" She looked straight past the group to Garrett, biting her lower lip, "I bet I could do quite a bit."

Garrett, not usually one to show his hand, stuffed his hands into his pocket and kept his face bored, "We are here for an appointment."

Bella looked to him with a small grin, knowing that, if his face would allow it, he would be as pink as a spring rose.

"Excellent, right this way." Alessa stepped out from behind the desk, not bothering to adjust her black skirt, and started towards the grand doors, "They are expecting you." She purred over her shoulder.

"Great." Bella whispered, forgetting that everyone within the castle could hear her every word. Garrett took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

Alessa, flanked by guards, started into the throne room to introduce their guests. Bella was tempted to give into her flight response, but Garrett's strong hand, which held hers loosely, kept her in place.

He isn't scared; I need to be strong too. Give them no reason to believe you're weak, Bella encouraged herself when she let go of his hand as they entered the room.

"Welcome, welcome!" Aro greeted, his arms outstretched as he came forward, "How…grateful we are that you took up our offer." He looked to Jasper and Alice in turn, "We hope you have considered our other offers, as well."

Jasper kept a protective arm snaked around his wife and, with a sweet southern smile, shook his head, "It is quite generous, but we prefer to stay with our coven." He looked to Alice, who nodded in agreement.

"Yes, it is quite hard to leave once one has entered into a family of sorts." He replied, clearly downcast by their rejection. His opaque red eyes mulled across the group until they came to rest on Bella and Garrett; Bella tried to step away from Garrett, but it didn't go unnoticed. Garrett grew tense at the distance and, though he tried to keep his façade, his nervous eyes kept shifting to Bella as she fidgeted nervously with the cuff of his jacket.

They had decided, on the drive in, to keep their relationship quiet until the proper time to present the change of events appeared. But, that would be a luxury they would not be given.

Aro's smile grew to that of a cat's, "Ahh, and what is this?" He closed his eyes and inhaled the strong, very male, vampire scent coming from Bella.

Bella worried her lower lip and shifted from foot to foot. Garrett's shoulders hardened as he saw the attention Bella had drawn to herself; even Caius and Marcus were intrigued by the girl. His now molten eyes narrowed, his nose wrinkled as his teeth threatened to bear.

"And, who are you?" Aro asked, tilting his head as he said each word individually.

"This is Garrett, he's a recent addition to our coven." Alice's chipper answer came, her smile never once leaving her face.

Aro instantly looked to the psychic, "Does he possess any powers?" He asked, as if the nomad weren't there.

"No." Garrett seethed, his hands grinding into fists. All of the red-eyes in the room still remained on his Isabella and he was close to snapping.

The leader of the Volturi moved his attention as the Patriot spoke, "I meant no offense. I am simply curious why you are here instead of Carlisle's son, Edward, seeing as he is Isabella's mate."

Garrett gave a quick, curt nod as he desperately fought for control over himself. If he didn't find it soon, he would be risking all of their lives.

"No, Edward is not her mate." The raspy voice of Marcus spoke as he uneasily got to his feet. Everyone, including Caius and Aro, was surprised by the older vampire's statement. Marcus looked between the human and her vampire, his ancient crimson eyes dulled from the years they had seen, "I have not seen anything like it since I first laid eyes on Didyme." Aro visibly cringed at the comment.

"I thought you said her bond to Edward was the strongest you had seen in an age?" Caius inquired lazily, his blonde brow raised.

Marcus turned to his fellow ruler, "It is strong indeed, but, you never let me explain why it is." Caius held his hand out for Marcus to continue, "The ties between Isabella and Edward are that of a superior and subordinate, he craved ruling over her and she was unable to withstand his affections for the time being. But, this…" For the first time in hundreds of years, Marcus smiled, "This tie is solid and unyielding, nothing will be able to break it. Their souls are bonded for eternity, like mine and Didyme's." His eyes saddened at the mention of his passed mate, "Neither rules over the other, they are equal. Not only in love, but in respect and trust."

Marcus folded his hands and pressed them against his lips, "Dear boy, go, stand beside Isabella. I can see it is troubling you greatly to be so far from her." Marcus commanded, gesturing for Garrett to close the distance between Bella and himself.

"Young Garrett may not have a traditional gift, but his strength of will and unwavering loyalty to take care of those he loves, as well as his respect for their choices apart from his own wants, is a treasure in itself."

Garrett, not one who cared for monarchies or oligarchies, inclined his head in respect of the old vampire's words of praise. He rushed to his mate's side and pulled her protectively to him, feeling at ease with her in his arms.

Aro sighed, his hand pressed against his creased forehead, "Where is the other boy?"

Alice shuttered as she broke free of her vision, "Edward is going to head North, to Alaska. He is packing as we speak."

"Who, then, will take charge of Isabella's transformation and first year, if Edward has abandoned them? Our deal still holds, whether she is with the telepath or not." Aro asked, frustration cracking his voice.

Marcus turned to him, "Did you not hear what I said, dear Aro?"

"If they have as strong a bond as you say, show me." Aro demanded. Marcus did as he was bid and extended his hand. Aro pulled back, as if burned, once the memory had passed before his eyes, "I see…"

Garrett took hold of Bella's hands and gave a cheeky grin before releasing his hold and stepping forward, "I will take charge of Isabella's transformation and first year."

"Come here." Aro demanded, reaching out his hand and calling the Patriot forward. Garrett looked quickly to Jasper, who gave a solid nod.

"I cannot read Isabella, but a powerless one, such as yourself, I can." Aro spat, hungrily reaching for Garrett's hand again as the nomad took his time coming forward. The instant Aro touched Garrett's cool skin, however, he had to pull back, nursing his hand as if it had touched a live fire. The pure essence of the memories that had assaulted him were too much for the heartless vampire; honest love was not something he could face after the years of treachery and cruelty he had inflicted upon others.

"Very well, you are to take charge of Isabella Swan. Once you return to Washington, you are too change her immediately—"

"Aro," Marcus called, holding a finger up as he asked for a moment, "might we consider…extending…the period? If you look at the two, there is still quite an age difference, and they will need time to tie up loose ends. Isabella is one that will be missed if her transformation is not handled with care, it will cause a stir in the mortal world and reveal too much of ours."

"I agree. For mortals to believe that they are paired off, especially if they are to leave the coven, she must look closer to his age. Isabella barley looks eighteen and the Cullens draw enough attention to themselves with the few teenagers they already have." Caius coincided, catching the others in the room off guard.

Aro started to correct them but Alice stepped up, "If I may, I can show you her change." Aro's interest was peaked and he motioned for the small fairy to come forward.

The ancient one's lips grew into a gruesome smile as he saw Bella's fate, "Ahh, what a strong one you will be. Very well, very well, we will extend the period." Aro bowed his head, his hands outstretched. Each of the Cullens looked to one another with relief, and just a touch of hesitation.

"Garrett?" Marcus turned to the nomad, motioning for him to come forward. Weary of the amount of red eyes around him, Garrett cautiously started forward as Jasper and Alice took up guarding Bella.

"My dear boy," Marcus held out his arm, giving them the faux sense of privacy, "I have a question for you."

Not one to be touched, Garrett easily side stepped his touch in favor of watching his back, "Yes?" He asked, making sure to keep a tone of diplomacy.

"Since you have met Isabella, have you had any sort of odd events transpire?" Marcus inquired.

Garrett pulled back, caught off guard, "I—I am not sure what you mean."

"You look like a man that has seen a couple centuries."

"A couple." Garrett agreed, treading carefully and studying the man before him.

"The memories of our human life grow dull with time; we tend to forget them in light of our new life. But, sometimes, between mated pairs, there is a sense of…remembrance." Marcus looked to Garrett, his dull, bloody eyes mixing with the youthful amber ones, hoping the Patriot had understood what he meant.

Garrett's eyes grew, giving him away.

"I expected as much." Marcus nodded, drawing back into his own thoughts, "I believe Isabella is a shield."

Garrett tensed, feeling uncomfortable with how easy each of the Volturi talked about his mate.

"Though it isn't unexpected for vampires to remember happier times of their human life when in the company of their mate, having a shield as a mate will bring up more memories, possibly both good and bad, of one's previous life."

"How so?" Garrett asked as he followed after Marcus, taking a turn of the large room.

"Each shield is different, but their base is the same. Shields protect their wielder from harm, some can be projected out to protect those around the wielder and some can even extend beyond the simple power of defense – some become an offense."

"So her…power…is, what, un-shielding me?" Garrett asked, his tone distrusting.

Marcus stopped and turned to the young vampire, "I believe her power is pushing through the memories of your vampire life and holding them at bay so that you may recall certain memories of your human life. Though you have unintentionally, or purposely, walled them off, her power can break through and revive them so that you will feel happy and content. My mate had a similar power."

"Was she a shield as well?" Garrett asked, making sure he was on his toes. He had seen the reaction the other Volturi had given when Marcus' mate was mentioned and Garrett valued his head remaining attached to his body.

"She held the ability of pure happiness, it was an aura that drifted around her and effected all she came in contact with. It worked as a sort of bonding between us, just as Isabella's shield does for you when she re-gifts you memories. Though she does not intent it maliciously, Isabella is forcing the creation of an unbreakable tie between you and her so that you will remain with her. It is her defense, to protect herself from further heartbreak." Marcus explained, his face growing downcast, "It is something you will deeply miss if ever she is stolen from you."

"Marcus? Garrett?" Aro called lightly, bidding them to come over. In a blur, they rejoined the group.

"We have decided that Bella will be changed after four years' time." Aro was smiling, but it was clear he was anything but satisfied. Caius, on the other hand, grinned like a Cheshire cat, enjoying his fellow ruler's pain. It was like a breath of fresh air compared to Caius' usual, mundane life.

Garrett, whose eyes were shocked by the generous extension, looked to Jasper, who smirked triumphantly. The nomad rose a brow, knowing the Major had done something to secure their victory.

Aro looked back around the group, "Well, our offer is open ended if any of you wish to join us. For now, I will wish you the best in the years to come. I am sure we will see you again soon." He inclined his head and everyone started the routine of proper goodbyes.

"Are you alright?" Garrett whispered as he pulled Bella to him, his eyes keeping alert as they left.

She nodded fervently, "Yes." Her soft, brown eyes wandered to the ruler that Garrett had spent so much time talking to, "Marcus?" Bella called, breaking free of Garrett's hold and running over to the man, boldly taking his hands in hers, "Thank you."

Marcus drew back as if he were enraptured by a beautiful vision of his own. He was still smiling when Bella let go of his hand, "Thank you, Isabella. I look forward to seeing your final form."

The girl bashfully smiled and started to walk away, her mate protectively resting his hand on her shoulder. Bella leaned into him, knowing she had finally found what she had envied in other mated pairs: the other half of her soul.

"What did you see?" Caius demanded as he watched the group leave.

"Nothing, Caius, nothing at all." Marcus sighed, closing his eyes and thinking of his fondest memory of Didyme, which Bella had somehow broken through Chelsea's power to give him, "Nothing at all."

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